Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Applied Positive Psychology)
Positive psychology is the scientific study of the factors that enable individuals, organisations and communities to flourish and thrive. There is considerable interest worldwide in positive psychology and its application in work, professional and personal settings. This program teaches the history and development of positive psychology, an understanding of the key theoretical constructs of positive psychology, the core research methods used in positive psychology, and the application of positive psychology principles in a wide range of settings. Topics covered in the program include goals, meaning and self-concordance; subjective and psychological wellbeing; the languishing vs. flourishing dichotomy; positive psychology in organisations, broaden and build theory; the psychology of peak performance; resilience, flow, mental toughness, and the philosophy and psychology of happiness. There is emphasis on both theoretical understating and applied skills, and students will be expected to engage in experiential learning, to participate in group discussion and to relate the taught material to their own personal life experience.
Overview
The University of Sydney offers the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Applied Positive Psychology) [GradCertAppSc(ApplPosPsych] which aims to produce graduates who have a solid scientific grounding in the principles and applications of positive psychology and wish to apply this knowledge in a wide rage of settings.
University of Sydney Advantage
The University of Sydney GradCertAppSc (ApplPosPsych) is the first such program in Australia and one of very few in the world. The program combines a rigorous theoretical foundation with real-world practical applications, and integrates evidence-based coaching methodologies with the science of positive psychology. It is taught by recognised leaders in the area of positive psychology and coaching psychology.
Program Expectations
This program is designed to provide graduates with key theoretical understandings of positive psychology as a scientific psychological sub-discipline, and the knowledge and skills to apply the science of positive psychology in a range of contexts including, consulting, coaching, education and health-related settings. Graduates of this program will be equipped to work in the scientist-practitioner or scholar-practitioner models.
Mode of Delivery
Units of study are taught in face-to-face seminars and lectures on weekly and intensive teaching modes. This program is not taught in distance education mode.
The program can only be undertaken part time.
Admission Requirements
Entry into the program is competitive. Students should have either a three-year psychology degree or a three-year degree in a cognate discipline with a major in areas such as (but not limited to) arts, humanities, business, science or law. At least two years relevant employment experience is required. To help the assessment process we request that applicants provide the names of up to three referees, and applicants should include a short essay of 300 to 500 words outlining their prior experience, their interests in the program and their overall goals on graduation.
The typical student profile for this program is a mid-career professional who wishes to gain high-quality, theoretically grounded skills in applied positive psychology. Participants may include (but are not limited to) psychologists, psychologists-in-training, counsellors, individuals working in the human resources field, personnel managers or those seeking a career using applied positive psychology. This program is most suited to mature-age applicants with work experience and is designed to be undertaken on a part-time basis.
Program Requirements
GradCertApplSc(ApplPosPsych)
- satisfactory completion of 24 credit points (cp) including two core units of study and two electives
Units of Study
There are two core units of study:
- PSYC4730 Applied Positive Psychology
- PSYC 4727 Positive Organisational Coaching
Students can then select two of the following elective units of study:
- PSYC 4721 Theories and Techniques of Coaching Psychology
PSYC 4731 Psychology of Peak Performance
PHIL 4730 Philosophy and Science of Happiness
After Graduation
Graduates of this program will have a solid grounding in both the theory and practice of positive psychology. Graduates will be able to apply the science of positive psychology in a wide range of contexts including consulting, coaching, education and health-related settings or as organisational change agents.
Credit for previous study
Credit for previous study may be available in some circumstance. Please contact the for details.
Annual Intake
There is no quota for this program.
Minimum program duration - Part Time
GradCertApplSc(ApplPosPsych) – 2 semesters
Maximum program duration - Part Time
GradCertApplSc(ApplPosPsych) – 4 semesters
Is Mid-Year Entry Available?
Yes